Finally Berkeley castle has been completed,

The below footplate lining was scraped off with a flat knife blade, along with microsol as a softener.

Moving onto the tender, I had hoped to keep the original gw arms crest, however after removing the great western lettering I realised it was not in the right place for the new logo so that had to go as well.

Again the method was gentle scraping with multiple applications of microsol.

Once complete HMRS transfers were used to rebrand the tender, along with adding new numbers to the buffer beam

I know there are a few minor detail differences in rivet locations on the front frame, but for once I think it's close enough.

The tender is intended for Nunney Castle once the new gw liveried castle hits the shelves (current eta Boxing Day). This gives me the Hawksworth tender needed for Berkeley.

It's still oo for the time being, I don't really want to start working on another conversion where the cylinders overlap the driving wheel (and the clearance issues associated with it) until I get the 38xx and the mogul working properly. Hopefully in that time brassmasters will release an easichas pack.

The photo also shows a bit of rework on the layout, trying to set the overgrown siding a little better. Needs a lot more bushes but I think it's an improvement

The next main modelling job...

Garage conversion into a modelling room, I now have all the bits for phase 1 (phase 2 is to add a door and window into the side come the summer). Sadly I think it will be too narrow for a continuous run (I think the best I could get would be about 3ft radius, which I think will probably be too tight for large steam locos in p4)

That said I might give it a go on a test board once the garage is finished...